Remotely Creative? What Happens When Creative Teams Work Apart?1

Abstract

Using the creative uses task, we compare the productivity trade-offs present when team members work face-to-face versus when they work apart. We find that nominal teams create a greater number of ideas, however, face-to-face interactions yield more unique ideas, on average. Additionally, diversity is found to impact face-to-face teams, but not nominal teams.

Keywords: Creativity, remote work, creative teams, productivity, diversity